|
>>
Blackjack Tips and Tactics
Blackjack is fairly
straightforward once you grow accustomed to playing it, but many players
prefer to read all of the rules before they sit down, and this is likely
a good idea. Blackjack rules are not set in stone. In fact, they vary
from game to game depending on a small set of variables that the house
chooses for the game.
Generally stated, each blackjack player competes only against the dealer
(i.e. the bank/casino), not against other players. Your goal as the
player is to beat the dealer by drawing cards until your hand comes
close to 21, without exceeding it. If your first two cards total 21, you
have what is known as a 'natural blackjack'. If the dealer gets closer
to 21 than you without going over themselves, they win. The dealer
follows a strict set of blackjack rules written just for them, and
knowing what the dealer must do at the table is as important as knowing
what you yourself can do.
Learning blackjack rules online is a great deal easier than trying to
learn at a table in a land-based casino. Besides the pressure you feel
from the players around you, and the dealers themselves, you are
expected to wager your money as you learn. This is something everyone
prefers to avoid. Playing online eases this concern, as you may play
unlimited amounts of blackjack on a free play version before placing any
real bets.
Blackjack rules online are the same as in a land-based casino, and as
mentioned previously, can vary slightly from establishment to
establishment. To playing online is very simple, since the software
won't let you make any real errors, playing is as simple as clicking
your mouse. Open our software to see how many bet denominations are
readily available. To place a bet for a specific denomination click on
the chip, the software will automatically place this chip in the betting
area for you. To remove a bet, right click on the stack in the betting
area.
All standard forms of blackjack rules dictate that the numerical values
of the cards are: (10, J, Q, K) = 10, (Ace) = 1 or 11, (other cards) =
face value (3 = 3).
Blackjack rules for the dealer are very simple. If the dealer's hand is
16 or less, they must take a card. If the dealer's hand is 17 or more,
they must stand. Note that some casinos allow the dealer to hit on soft
17, which gives the house a very small additional advantage.
The player can do most anything they want as far as hitting and standing
goes. Should a player get a natural blackjack (first 2 cards are an Ace
and a ten) standard blackjack rules payoff at 150% (or 3 to 2) the
original bet. For example, betting $10.00 determines the payoff to be
$15.00. Doubling down is restricted to 2-card hands, totaling 9, 10, or
11. When the option to double down is available, the software will ask
you if you wish to.
After you double down, if that was your choice, the dealer will give you
one more card only, and will move onto the next hand. If you have a pair
that you want to split, the software will also prompt you to determine
what you wish to do. The original bet will go with one card and the
software will place an equal amount of chips in the betting box near the
other card. You are now playing two hands, each as though they were
regular hands adhering to normal blackjack rules, with the exception
being that if you have just split two aces, you only get one more card.
If it is a ten, that hand's total is now 21 but the hand isn't
considered a natural blackjack. That is, you are paid 1:1 and not 1.5:1
as for a natural.
The suit of the card doesn't matter in blackjack, only the point value.
With that in mind, paying attention to your potential total on the next
card is the main thinking part of the game.
There is no way to win automatically in blackjack; the closest you can
get is being dealt a 21 with your first two cards without the dealer
doing the same. This of course is simply called getting blackjack, or
getting a natural blackjack, or sometimes simply called a natural. If
both you and the dealer happen to get blackjack, it's a push and you
don't get paid, you just get your money back. If you win on a natural
blackjack you are paid a bonus that, as stated earlier, is usually 3 to
2 on your bet.
Part of learning to play blackjack well, or as some call it, becoming an
advantage player, is learning when to bet more and when to bet less.
Blackjack is a game with a variable house edge, and the amount of money
you walk away with isn't determined by unalterable numbers each time (as
would be the case in a game of roulette). This house edge fluctuation is
only useful if we know how to take advantage of it, and there is one
area where most people fall short, that area is doubling down.
Doubling down is the player's ability to increase their bet mid-hand if
they feel they have a particularly good opportunity to win. This is the
major variable that lets blackjack be played at a low house edge. The
problem is that people don't often take advantage of this fact! Without
taking advantage of when you should double down, the house edge soars as
high as many games you'll be warned to never play. When people are
presented with an opportunity to double down it's natural for them to
think 'That must mean I have a good chance of winning, and since I'll
win either way, I don't really need to double my bet, I'll be happy with
just winning, I don't need to risk more'.
Of course this leads to people not doubling down even though it may be
advantageous to do so. Keep in mind though that the house edge gained
from a good strategy is only attainable if you take advantage of those
double down situations. There is no better money-making opportunity than
the double down that Blackjack rules offer.
Card
Counting
Card counting is a
technique used by skilled players to determine whether the remaining
cards in the deck favor the player or favor the dealer. Unlike most
casino games such as craps, roulette, or slots where each spin of the
wheel or roll of the dice is independent of the last spin or roll, a
deck of cards (that is which cards remain in the deck) changes with
every deal. Having an idea of which cards remain in the deck can
influence how much to wager and is the basis of card counting.
In the game of blackjack, high cards (10,J,Q,K,A) tend to favor the
player because the player is more likely to get a blackjack or have a
high hand value after doubling down. Low cards (2,3,4,5,6) tend to favor
the dealer because, since the dealer always has to hit stiff hands, more
low cards in the deck give her a better chance of not busting. For
example, if the dealer's up card is low and there are more high than low
cards in the deck, the dealer will most likely bust. If there are more
low than high cards in the deck she will most likely reach 17 or better
without busting.
The Hi-Lo System-
Part 1
The Hi-Lo is one of the simplest of card counting systems. To use this
technique each card is given a value of +1, 0, or -1. The low cards
(2,3,4,5,6) are given the value +1. The middle cards (7,8,9) are given
the value 0. And the high cards (10,J,Q,K,A) are given the value -1. As
the deck is dealt out to all the players the counting player keeps a
running total of the cards that have been played by adding and
subtracting the values assigned to each card.
For example, suppose the following cards have just been dealt from the
deck: A, 2, 10, 3, 9, J, K,7. In this case the running count would be -2
(-1+1-1+1+0-1-1+0=-2). When the running count is negative the deck is
rich in low cards and favors the dealer. When the running count is
positive the deck is rich in high cards and favors the player.
The Hi-Lo System- Part 2
Part 2 of the Hi-Lo system determines how likely the next hand will
match the expectations determined from part 1. By dividing the running
count from part 1 by the number of remaining decks (in a multiple deck
game) to be played the player has a better idea of how much weight to
give his running count.
For example, the running count after the 4th hand in a 6 deck game will
be more important than the running count after the first hand in the
same 6 deck game. This "penetration" into the stack is the key to
counting and the reason why casinos never deal out the entire deck
before reshuffling.
The Hi-Lo System- Part 3
In order to use the Hi-Lo system effectively, the player must place his
bets according to his count and how far in to the deck the game is. Put
simply, the player places higher bets when the deck is in his favor
(positive count and deep penetration) and places lower bets when the
deck is in the dealers favor (negative count and deep penetration).
Of course the player can also devise a sliding scale for placing his
bets in order to take advantage of his knowledge of the remaining cards
in the deck. The sliding scale might work something like this: count=0,
bet=$5; count=+1, bet=$10; count=+2, bet=$15 and so on.
Deviating from Basic Strategy
Generally, most hands should be played according to basic strategy. In
fact, the basic strategy should be mastered before attempting any type
of counting technique. There are occasions however, when knowing the
remaining cards in the deck justify a deviation from basic strategy.
For example, if the running count is +8, the game is half way in to the
stack, and the dealer is showing an ace the player may consider taking
insurance because he knows there are an abundance of 10,J,Q,K 's left in
the deck.
Another example would be splitting 10s when the count is very high or
especially when the count is very high and the game is deep into the
stack. The deck would be in your favor to get 20 or 21 after splitting
the 10s.
The Reality of Counting Cards
The idea of counting cards and beating the casinos at their own game has
a certain appeal for many people. The truth is that counters will lose
as often as the basic strategy player. The difference is that the
counter has higher wagers when he wins. By placing higher wagers when
the deck is in your favor, the casino's edge can be shifted to favor the
player in the long run. There are difficulties however, such as having a
large enough bank roll to play for extended periods of time and actually
using the technique for an extended period without drawing the casino's
attention.
Counting cards is not illegal however, Nevada casinos do have the right
to refuse service to any individual suspected of counting cards at the
blackjack table because the casinos are private clubs according to law.
Atlantic City casinos on the other hand do not have the right to refuse
service to an individual based on skillful blackjack play. The casinos
in AC will however, tend to shuffle early, use more decks, or raise the
minimum bet to discourage suspected counters.
Smart players already know that the use of the basic strategy card helps
your blackjack play. Right click on the Blackjack Strategy Card below,
save onto your PC, print and use while you play.
>>
Craps Rules
Craps can be the
favourite and the most profitable game in the casino for players, that
is, if you know how to take advantage of the smart bets. Many of the
bets will look attractive and promising, but it's a well-know fact:
looks can be deceiving. And the casino takes advantage of it. That's why
it's important to know the difference between the smart bets and the
dumb ones. Let me warn you, craps rules can be very confusing,
especially when you're new to the game.
The "GOOD" bets:
Pass Line Bet
Often referred to as the "right" bet, it is placed just before the
come-out roll. The rules are straight forward: the bet wins if the
come-out roll is 7 or 11 and loses if it's 2, 3, or 12. Once a point is
established, the point number must be rolled again before a 7 comes up
for the bet to win, otherwise, it loses. The house edge for pass line
bets is 1.41% making it one of the best bets in the casino. It's a pure
luck bet - a rarity in casinos. The real value lies in backing your pass
line bet with 'free odds'. The odds bet is placed just behind the pass
line once a point is established, and is paid back at true odds, unlike
most bets in the casino.
Don't Pass Line Bet
Just to make craps rules more confusing, there's the don't pass line
bet. Just like the pass line bet above, this bet is also placed
immediately prior to the come-out roll. The rules, however, are
opposite. The bet wins if the come-out roll is 2 or 3 and loses if it's
7 or 11. If 12 is rolled, it's a push, which means that no money is won
or lost. Once a point is established, 7 must be rolled before a
reoccurrence of the point for the bet to win. The house edge for don't
pass line bets is 1.36% - just slightly better than the pass line bet -
nonetheless, far less popular. The bet is often referred to as the
"wrong" bet, or playing 'against the dice', because players as a group
like to see points being made rather than craps.
Come Bet
A come bet can be made anytime after a point is established. The same
craps rules apply as the pass line bet. After a come bet is placed, the
next roll is the come-out roll for that particular bet, and only for the
player who placed that bet. The only difference between the come bet and
the pass line bet is that with a come bet, you can identify the
"virtual" start of the game, and the point is yours alone, it's not the
point for the rest of the players. The house edge on the come bet is the
same as the pass line bet - 1.41%.
Don't Come Bet
now, this should be obvious - the rules are exactly the opposite of
those for the come bet, and the same as for the don't pass line bet,
with the exception of starting your own round of play separate from the
original pass line activity of the shooter. By placing the bet, you
establish the start of a new round. The house edge on this bet is, of
course, 1.36%. Sound familiar? The don't come and don't pass bets are
two of the best bets in craps.
>>
Slots Rules
Slots are easy and fun
to play, and many of the online casinos have excellent game graphics and
a wide variety of slot games to choose from. To begin playing Slots, you
must first deposit money into the machine. You may then normally select
which coin denomination you wish to play, and select if you want to "Bet
One" or "Bet Max", which is usually 3 to 5 coins but sometimes is more.
Each time you want to spin, you then either click on "Spin" or the
appropriate "Bet" button. When the slot machine reels stop, your payoff
will be determined from a table of winning combinations listed on your
screen.
How much you win (if anything) is determined by where the wheels stops.
The goal is to get the symbols (bars, numbers, special symbols, etc.) to
line up on the payline in one of the winning combinations listed on the
pay schedule. Each game has its own pay schedule and special symbols.
For example, three cherries in a row may pay 12 to 1. Some machines have
up to 9 paylines, or even pay on the diagonal, so be sure to read the
rules for each game you play.
Progressive Jackpot Slot Machines
Certain slot machines are called "Progressive Jackpots". The top payout
on a progressive jackpot machine is not according to a fixed schedule as
in regular slot machines. Rather, jackpot values start at a certain
level and grow each time somebody makes a bet (until some lucky player
hits the jackpot). Progressive slots can grow to almost $400,000 online,
and therefore are very popular. However, they can also be quite risky,
and you can lose a lot of money trying to hit the big jackpot. Important
note: you normally have to bet the maximum number of coins in order to
be eligible for the jackpot - be sure to read the game rules in the
casino before you start playing.
German Immigrant, Charles Fey, credited with inventing slot
machine.
In California, (especially San Francisco), in the 1890's, gambling was a
popular type of entertainment. Many forms of slot machines existed at
that time.
Charles Fey aimed at competing with these existing slot machines with
his "Liberty Bell". The "Liberty Bell" had many unique features that
soon distinguished his machines. Players liked the Liberty Bell, and any
good establishment gives the players what they like. The Liberty Bell
was a big hit, and Charles Fey was given credit for inventing a "new"
standard in slot machines, that to this day has some influence.
In the 1890's, slot machines can best be described as semi-legal. By
paying the players, slot machines were made illegal, and eventually
banned in California. Charles Fey continued to produce his machines
regardless.
He knew his machines were popular and that the end users were the ones
using his inventions illegally. Why should he give up producing, when as
far as he was concerned, they were legal if used correctly?
He continued to produce and sell his inventions, and was eventually
arrested and fined.
It was never legal to produce or own slot machines again in California
as long as Charles Fey was alive. Production was legal in other states
and these producers often copied his machines and sold them to his
clients.
I wonder what Charles Fey would be thinking of doing in the year 2000
with Internet gambling and online casinos. Are we missing out on the
latest invention of the "Liberty Bell"?
>>
Baccarat Rules
The object is to
assemble a hand of two or three cards with a points value as close to
nine as possible. The perfect hand is one that totals nine in the first
two cards. Eight is the second-best hand and, along with the nine, it
constitutes the two "natural" hands. The only hand that will beat a
natural eight is a natural nine. If any player hand or the Bank has a
natural eight or nine, the others may not draw a third card. In a tie,
bets are called off.
Aces count as one, picture cards as 10 and the others their face value.
If your hand total is in double figures, then the first figure is
ignored. So a hand totalling 18 would count as eight.
The player with the most money is usually is declared the banker - this
is the casino in Baccarat Banque and rotates in Chemin de Fer. The
banker deals three hands of two cards each, face down. These hands are
for two players, one to the right and one the left of the banker, plus
his own hand. Other players at the table may bet on either hand (cheval)
or both to beat the banker's hand. If a player declares "banco", it
means they are betting the total value of the bank's funds and all other
bets are withdrawn.
If either player has a count less than eight or nine, he may stand
(saying "non") or get one more card face up (saying "carte"). The player
must stand on six or seven and must draw on four or less. Casinos
usually take their percentage of the bank and bets as their fee for the
game.
Baccarat strategies
Baccarat begins after the croupiers (dealers) make the shoe (shuffle the
eight decks of cards and place them in the plastic box). The players
(you and the other customers at the table) place a wager on either the
Banks hand or the Players hand. Wagers having been placed two cards are
dealt to each hand the first two being the players hands cards. (those
betting the players hand) the second two cards for the banks hand. A
third card may be drawn by either side in accordance with the rules
below. The winning hand is the one with the point total closest to nine
after all the cards are dealt. Tens, cards that total ten and picture
cards count as zero. An ace counts as one, numbered cards one thru nine
count at face value. If the cards total a two digit number, only the
last digit counts. e.g. 5+7=12, 12 counts as 2 , king+7 = 7
Bank and player bets are paid even money but there is a 5% commission
charged on all winning banker bets. (in the way the card are drawn the
bank has a slight advantage).
A bet on the tie hand pays 8 to 1.
Rules summarizing when a third card is to be drawn.
1. If either the player or the bank have a total of 8 or 9 on the first
two cards no further cards are drawn . The resulting hand is called a
natural and the hand is over.
2. If the players total is less than or equal to 5 the players hand
draws a third card.
3. If the player does not draw a third card, then the banker's hand
stands on 6 or more and takes a third card on a total of 5 or less. If
the player does take a third card then the rules below will determine if
the bank takes a third card.
4. If the banks total is 2 or less then bank draws a card, regardless of
what the players third card is.
5. If the banks total is 3 then the bank draws a third card unless the
players third card was an 8.
6. If the banks total is 4 then the bank draws a third card unless the
players third card was a 0,1,8,or 9.
7. If the banks total is 5 then the bank draws a third card if the
players third card was 4,5,6,or 7.
8. If the banks total is 6 then the bank draws a third card if the
players third card was a 6 or 7.
9. If the banks total is 7 then the bank stands.
It is not necessary to memorize these rules to play , they are automatic
and only on a rare occasion is a mistake made, and quickly corrected .
You are a player not to be confused with the players hand or the bank
being the casino. You as a player may bet either side. These rules apply
to both Mini and the Big baccarat tables.
>>
Basic Poker Rules
Now that you know what
it takes to win, we can clue you in on how the game itself is played.
Unlike bridge, poker is almost always played for a lofty goal: cash.
Before the game begins, the players should collectively decide on a
betting limit. A betting limit keeps the game friendly, and prevents
people from gambling mortgages, cars, or spouses away.
Now on to the action! Here are the basic rules, step by step:
First, each player places an ante or "token bet" into the pot before the
cards are even dealt. The ante can be anything from a nickel (if you're
a poor college student) to thousands of dollars (if you're a Vegas high
roller). You need an ante because it guarantees that someone will always
win something on each hand. You also need an ante because without one,
your uncle would be lonely. We'll wait . . .
Once everyone has coughed up his or her ante, the dealer deals the cards
face down around the table, starting at the player to his left and
continuing clockwise. The dealer (if he's playing) always deals to
himself last. The dealer deals everyone their first card, then goes back
around the circle to deal the second, and so on. As soon as everyone has
five cards, the remainder of the deck is placed in the middle of the
table, and play begins.
Each player looks at his or her cards, and then the first player places
a bet. While there are several ways of deciding who bets first, poker
novices are best off letting the player directly to the left of the
dealer make the first bet. Then on the next hand, the person to his left
will bet first, and so on around the table for each new hand.
Players have several options as far as the first round of betting goes.
If no one has made a bet yet, you have two choices:
Open: If no betting has begun when your turn comes, you
may "open" the pot (an attractive option for you Grateful Dead fans out
there). This simply means that you make the first bet (any amount up to
the betting limit).
Check: The opportunity to "check" only occurs if no one
has yet opened the betting when it comes time for you to decide what to
do. When a player checks, it means that he or she doesn't want to open
the betting, but doesn't want to quit either. It basically means "I'm
not going to open the betting, but I'll stick around and see what
happens."
Now let's say that someone opens the betting (at some point, it will
occur). You now have three choices:
See: When you "see" another player, it means that you
match their bet. So if someone bets $1 and you want to stay in the game,
you have to "see" their $1 by putting $1 of your own into the pot.
Raise: When you "raise," it requires you to first "see"
the previous bet, and then increase the bet. For example, if the
previous person bet a nickel and you want to bet more than that, you
would say "I see (match) your nickel, and raise you (increase the bet)
another nickel."
Fold: When someone else opens, you can always jump ship
and cut your losses. In other words, you "fold." The act of folding is
to "give up," place your cards face down on the table, lose whatever
you've bet so far, and grab a beer. In other words, you give up early
and lose your dough. This option is used when you think your hand is too
weak to compete.
At this point, all the players who haven't folded are allowed to get rid
of the cards they don't want and take some new cards. A player is
permitted to get rid of up to 3 unwanted cards and receive up to 3 new
ones from the deck (as long as the player always has 5 cards total). No
one sees what anyone else discarded (threw away) or drew (got as a new
card). It's all done face down.
After every player draws 0 to 3 new cards, the betting begins again. You
have the option of opening or checking, and once someone opens, you can
see, raise, or fold. The game ends when there are no more raises
(everyone saw everyone else's bet), or everybody folds (except for the
winner, of course).
Now it's time for everyone to turn their cards over and see how they
fared. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. Some people in
this position have been known to laugh maniacally as they scoop up
everyone else's dough. If you do that, you're friends will hate you.
Thus, we highly recommend it. They'll get over it.
The only way to stay in the game is to not fold. If you have a bad hand
and want out quick, then you'd seriously consider folding. If you have
what you think could be a good hand (if you could take a few new cards
and get good ones), then you would seriously consider staying in. If you
have an outstanding hand, then you'll definitely want to stay in. BUT
you don't want everyone to know you have a great hand, or else they'll
all fold, letting you win the tiny ante pot. The trick is to make
everyone else bet a lot, and win even more money. It's all about being a
good liar and a good actor.
Tie Hands If two hands are tied in rank, the following
rules apply:
1. If two players both have straight flushes, flushes, or straights, the
highest card that is part of the hand determines the winning hand. If
the highest card still results in a tie then the next highest card will
determine the winner. And so on...
2. If both players have a full house, then the highest 3 of a kind will
determine the winner.
3. If both players have three of a kind the highest ranking three of a
kind will be determined the winner.
4. The highest-ranking pair in the hand will decide two hands with two
pair. If this still results in a tie then the remaining pairs will be
compared and the highest-ranking pair will then decide the winner.
5. If both players have a single pair then the highest-ranking pair will
win. If this is also a tie then next highest-ranking single card will
determine the winner. If this still results in a tie then the next
highest single ranking card will determine the winner. And so on...
6. Two hands with no pairs, flushes, or straights are compared and the
card with the highest ranking single card will be determined the winner.
If this still yields no winner then the next highest card will be
determined the winner. And so on...
Below are some poker tips that should help you along
the way to playing online poker like a genius.
Play a game with which you are familiar. This will give you a chance to
acclimate to online poker without feeling at sea.
Understand the difference between playing at the casino and playing
online. At the casino, you'll have to play more wisely against possibly
more skilled competition.
If you're having a bad time at the tables, take a break. in fact, take
breaks anyway just to keep yourself fresh and fed.
One of the more popular poker tips is that you should always study. The
best way to improve your game is to studying and practice your skills in
low-stakes games.
Another of the important poker tips for you to consider is that you
can't expect to win every session you play. Realize that every session
is part of your career session.
The last of the poker tips from us is that you should never be
intimidated. Play steady, and have fun. |
